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The Coast Guard has reported the rescue of 11 people from the water on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 after an airboat capsized near Oregon Inlet.

According to a U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic news release, a Dare County dispatcher contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina at about 10:15 a.m. Wednesday to relay that a 20-foot airboat named OBX 1 capsized about half of a mile west of Oregon Inlet. “The dispatcher also said various degrees of injuries were reported and that all passengers were reported to be wearing life jackets,” stated the release.

Coast Guard watchstanders dispatched a 27-foot shallow water response boat and a 29-foot response boat from Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station Elizabeth City also diverted from local training operations to provide oversight and on-scene communications.

“The Oregon Inlet rescue boat crews arrived on scene and immediately retrieved one person from the water who had been pinned under the airboat and was suffering from a potential chest and head injury,” stated the release.

The Coast Guard also noted that watchstanders requested a Dare MedFlight helicopter crew to assist with transporting the person to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital while Coast Guard crews retrieved the remaining 10 people from the water.

“The survivors were all taken to Station Oregon Inlet where their care was transferred to awaiting emergency medical services personnel. Two people were reported to have serious injuries,” stated the release.

Commercial salvage towed the OBX 1 to Pirates Cove Marina in Manteo.

The incident is under investigation by Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Nags Head.

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